Alcázar of Seville

Sights across the entire Spanish south have been shaped by centuries of Moorish and Catholic influence, and in few places is this more evident and captivating than at the Alcázar of Seville. This palace—or a version of it, anyway—started to take shape as a fort in the 10th century under Muslim rule. Over time, many updates and additions were made (think palace halls, courtyards and gardens), especially by the Catholic monarchs, who still use it to this day, thus making it one of the oldest royal palaces of its kind in Europe.

The Alcázar’s sprawling complex is made up of several features;the most picturesque is arguably the Patio de las Doncellas, with its tranquil ponds that reflect the intricate mudéjar plasterwork for which the palace is especially noted. The courtyard patio will transport you to another time—so much so, in fact, that the Game of Thrones creators have selected it (among other Seville sites) to be the scene of the Water Gardens, where the rulers of Dorne reside.

Not all of the Alcázar’s beauty is situated above ground, either: Below the Patio del Crucero are the Baños de Doña Maria de Padilla, the beautiful and almost eerie underground cisterns that collect rainwater from above. It's said that the tanks were named after a beauty so ruthlessly pursued by Pedro I (often called Pedro the Cruel), who ordered much of the Alcázar's construction, that she disfigured herself with burning oil and became a nun.

Other more pleasant attractions abound within the palace walls, from the golden dome ceiling in the Hall of Ambassadors to the palm tree- and fountain-punctuated gardens, which are host to evening concerts during the summertime.

Practical Info

The Royal Alcázar, located in the center of Seville, is open every day of the week and closed during just a few select holidays a year. General admission costs €9.50, while entry for students ages 17-25 is €2. It is free for children under 16 and Seville residents. The site is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in October through March and until 7 p.m. from April to September.